Ravens and Plum Tree

The intense composition of a giant plum tree, delineated in almost dry ink against the vast gold background, and the crows perched frozen on its snow-covered branches is typical of the Momoyama Period. Typical of this period are also touches of crimson blossoms and green mosses against the gold splendor. This series of sliding door panels were originally housed at the Najima Castle in Chikuzen Province, built by Kobayakawa Takakage in 1588-1589. They later came into the possession of Kuroda Nagamasa, after his formal succession. The painting is attributed to Unkoku Togan (1547-1618), the artist employed by Mori Terumoto, a nephew of Kobayakawa.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.